Watching Model A Ford automobiles driving around and through the Gate House grounds of the Haven Hill Gate House on August 27, 2014 during the Haven Hill Festival was fantastic. It reminded everyone of how Edsel and Eleanor Ford’s grand country estate must have been back in the 1920’s.

The following video of the 2014 event recorded the fun. Enjoy!

Edsel and Eleanor could never have envisioned that recorded “television” movie pictures of their property from something called a “high-definition video camera” would be available to millions of people on something called “YouTube” on the “Internet”. But they would indeed be proud of the volunteers of the Friends of Highland Recreation Area and folks like the Livingston A’s for all of their efforts to refurbish their once beautiful estate and educate adults and children about the amazing history in the Highland State Recreation Area.

The 2014 “Redbud Reveal” at Highland State Recreation Area was a wonderful event this last April 26th. Despite the late arrival of the redbud trees, the event had its own blossoms of beauty in the form of the unveiling of a new gorgeous MotorCities wayside sign for the park, and a couple of wonderful art displays at the Haven Hill Gate House.

Redbud Reveal was a fantastic day at Highland Recreation Area at the end of April. No redbuds yet, but great fun and enjoyment was had by all in attendance. Artists’ displays by Larry Falardeau and Jay Fitzgerald were shown in the Haven Hill Gate House garage and Friend’s group President, Mr. Dick Russell, gave a great season-opening speech. Dick’s speech included the unveiling of another beautiful MotorCities Wayside sign created with research and inspiration by Girl Scout Gold Award pursuant Elaine Parkanzky. The sign will be permanently mounted this summer as the new trail is nearing completion. “MEMORIES IN TIME – The People of Haven Hill” was on display at the Redbud Reveal on April 26th. Local area artist Larry Falardeau displayed both completed works and works in progress from a current project “MEMORIES IN TIME – The People of Haven Hill”. This series of art works pays tribute to the People of Haven Hill – from the era of Native Americans through the Edsel and Eleanor Ford family’s years to todays’ visitors and supporters who share these lands and their individual stories in a special way. Larry’s work can be scene at ThePeopleofHavenHill.com and will also be on display at Highland State Recreation Area periodically through the 2014 visitor season. Larry is a member of the Friends of Highland Recreation Area. Local area photographer and Friends group member Jay Fitzgerald put his “Nature of Haven Hill” photo collection on display as well. The collection highlights the diverse flora and fauna of the Highland State Recreation area with a special focus on the Haven Hill section of the park. If you were unable to attend, come out to Haven Hill soon and enjoy the wonderful Spring! All event photos courtesy Ros Smith. Thanks Ros! www.fohra.org

The Friends of Highland Recreation Area volunteers are proud to announce a season-opening event at Highland State Recreation Area in Highland/White Lake, Michigan. To celebrate the arrival of the 2013 spring and summer season, the “Redbud Reveal” will be held from 12 noon until 4:00 pm on Sunday, April 28. Visitors are encouraged to come and see the historic Haven Hill Gate House, the Edsel Ford Barn, the Carriage House, and informative art and history displays atop Haven Hill.

At 1:00 pm, FOHRA President Mr. Dick Russell will give a public address on the Gate House lawn highlighting the Friends group’s recent activities and event plans for the coming year. Light refreshments will be served among the many new trees planted last fall around Edsel and Eleanor Fords’ beautiful historic estate entrance.

This weekend the Friends of Highland Rec and a volunteer great crew of experienced professional plasterers began repairing the interior walls of the Haven Hill Gate House. The wonderful historic building is at the entrance to the Highland State Recreation Area across the road to the east of the entrance station.

The interior walls have been prepared and insulation has been installed prior to the application of the new plaster.

Above: The Haven Hill Gate House walls before the plaster installation. Saturday, December 7, 2012.

Above: The Haven Hill Gate House walls AFTER the plaster installation. Saturday, December 7, 2012.

Above: One of the crew of volunteer plasterers applies fresh material to the new interior walls at the Haven Hill Gate House.

More new windows will go in soon. The Gate House garage work is a great example of the progress of the Friends group. Great to see these historic buildings coming to life again!